Jesus of right here, right now
Rediscovering the modern-day Christ
By Robyn Davis Sekula
Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus of Mosul.
Jesus of Baltimore.
Jesus of Newark.
It was a thunderbolt moment for me, the moment that Alonzo Johnson spoke these words aloud to those gathered for morning worship at NEXT Church national gathering in Kansas City. Alonzo, coordinator of Self-Development of People ministry for the Presbyterian Mission Agency, is a powerful speaker, prophetic, relatable and challenging – and he was turning Jesus into someone who walks the streets with us today.
Alonzo Johnson gives the sermon at the NEXT Church conference.
We think of Jesus as someone who lived long ago, in a land we’ve never visited. We think of Jesus as something – not even human – but something better than ourselves, a concept, perfection.
We shrug our shoulders and throw up our hands at this idea. We say we love Jesus, but be like Jesus? No, we’re not good enough for that. We ask what good can you do? And we walk away, accepting that we’re not worthy easily – and not even trying to be like Jesus because well, who can? We put our butts in the pews, write our checks and say we’re sad about the state of the world. And that’s as far as it goes.
And just understand that when I say “we” I mean “me.” Probably not you. I’m guessing you’re a better person than I am.
The notion of Jesus being in our modern-day world is a big shift.
I’ve been to Baltimore. I lived there in the summer of 1993, adoring its big-city ways and urban charm. I root for the Orioles. Jesus as an Orioles fan? Maybe. But more likely, you’ll find modern Jesus walking the streets, speaking with warring people, providing comfort to the afflicted, speaking and working for all kinds of justice.
This Jesus, Alonzo notes, can be frustrating and annoying. Jesus will push us to be kind to people who we’d rather not interact with. “Jesus gets on my nerves sometimes,” Alonzo told us (and he definitely had my attention). “He goes places I don’t want to go. But you know you gotta go.”
Maybe you won’t see modern-day Jesus at Camden Yards. Certainly not in the fancy suites. You’re more likely to find Jesus in the “other side of town,” as Alonzo says – you know, that part of the city you don’t want to go in.
You’ll find modern Jesus going wherever his presence is needed. You’ll find modern Jesus in the work of those fighting for immigrants – even if they aren’t doing so in the name of Jesus. You’ll find modern Jesus helping the millions of homeless people in the U.S., and helping struggling ex-offenders get back on their feet.
You’ll find modern Jesus inside you – if you’re willing to acknowledge the potential of this in all of us.
Jesus of right here. Right now.
Robyn Davis Sekula is a communications consultant and speaker living near the Louisville, Kentucky. She a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Membership Chair of the Society of Professional Journalists. You can follow her on Twitter @itsRobynwithay.